Mega Doctor News
By Roberto Hugo González / Mega Doctor News
At a time when the nation faces an ongoing nursing shortage, Rio Grande Valley College (RGV College) in Pharr, Texas, celebrated a milestone that stands as a testament to resilience, leadership, and community impact — the launch of its 100th Vocational Nursing Cohort.
Gathering under a bright Texas morning sky, community leaders, educators, and students came together to honor not only the college’s growth but also the life-changing power of education. “RGV College is making history today,” the master of ceremonies said. “This morning will be a celebration of that life-changing impact that education brings to our region.”
The ceremony opened with acknowledgments to distinguished guests, including Texas State Representative Terry Canales, Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, and RGV College CEO and President Dr. Annabelle Palomo.
Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez offered heartfelt remarks centered on leadership and purpose. “My comments are directed at Dr. Palomo about her school, her success, and her achievement,” he said. “We’re just fortunate enough to have her and blessed that we are having her in our city.”
He described Dr. Palomo as a “true believer that everyone should have the same opportunity” and praised her deep compassion. “She loves people, and I really do mean she loves people — to her own detriment at times,” the mayor said. “Her actions by far say it all.”
Reflecting on RGV College’s growth, he noted, “She wanted to make the number one school in the Rio Grande Valley, then the state, and now she’s aiming at the national level.” He called her a “winner” and lauded her ability to “take the first step,” emphasizing that “there’s no such thing as failure — only going forward.”
Mayor Hernandez also praised the students for their perseverance, reminding them that their careers will directly impact their communities. “We are selfish as the population because you’re going to be taking care of us,” he said with a smile. “So, we absolutely want you to have the best education.”
From the college’s San Antonio campus, Executive Director Mary Williams spoke next, marking her 17th year with RGV College and recalling her journey from the very first cohort to the 100th. “It is with great pride and deep gratitude that I stand before you today,” she said. “Seventeen years ago, I walked through the doors of this college as an educator with a passion for teaching and the belief that nursing is not just a profession, but a calling.”
Williams noted that the college’s nursing program has grown into “one of the largest and most successful in the Rio Grande Valley,” with state-ranked pass rates and graduates serving across Texas and beyond. “Today’s celebration is not just about numbers or rankings,” she added. “It’s about the lives we’re changing, one student at a time.”
She also reflected on the college’s expansion into San Antonio in Bexar County, describing it as “an extension of opportunity, nurturing the next generation of nurses, and continuing our mission to serve communities across the state with excellence, compassion, and purpose.”
Turning to Dr. Annabelle Palomo, Williams credited her “unwavering dedication as an educator and advocate,” saying that “Dr. Palomo’s vision transformed a seed into a thriving institution — RGV College — rooted in service, compassion, and faith.”
When Dr. Palomo took the podium, her voice carried both pride and emotion. “I’m not one to write speeches,” she admitted. “But this is special — our hundredth cohort.”
She shared that her motivation has always been rooted in faith and personal history. “I came from parents who were not educated, who never spoke about education. I was the first college graduate in my family,” she said. “To be able to be part of that and to change lives — that is my drive.”
Recalling her early challenges, she described facing skepticism from the Texas Board of Nursing when proposing a new school in the Rio Grande Valley. “They questioned me for about an hour and a half about low pass rates in our area,” she said. “I told them I would bring the highest scores — and we did.”
That promise, she added, was fulfilled through teamwork. “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” she said, thanking her faculty and staff for their tireless dedication. “They work long hours to make a difference in students’ lives.”
Dr. Palomo also shared a personal story about a former student, Freddy, who graduated from one of the earliest cohorts and, years later, cared for her father as a director of nursing. “That makes it all worth it,” she said. “Because I know that in our community, we are making a difference.”
In a region and nation facing a persistent nursing shortage, RGV College’s 100th cohort stands as both a triumph and a promise. With graduates filling essential healthcare roles across Texas, the college’s mission continues — one rooted in education, compassion, and faith.
As Dr. Palomo reminded the audience, “Time is going to pass regardless. You have to decide how to spend it — and for us, it’s about changing lives through education.”
